A devastating inferno erupted after a lightning strike caused an oil-storage facility to burst into flames in Matanzas, Cuba.
As reported by ABC News, the Ministry of Energy and Mines tweeted that the raging blaze started as a result of a thunderstorm on Friday night. Four explosions subsequently took place at the Matanzas Supertanker Base, leading to uncontrollable flames and a huge plume of black smoke filling the sky.
The official Cuban News Agency has reported that the fire initially started after lightning hit one tank - with the blaze then spreading to a second tank.
The smoke reportedly spread westward for 100 kilometers (62 miles), toward the city of Havana.
Military helicopters above attempted to tame the fire by dropping water on the facility. Roberto de la Torre, head of fire operations in Matanzas, also added that firefighters were attempting to keep any remaining tanks cool by spraying them with water.
The facility reportedly has eight giant tanks that store oil that is used to fuel electricity-generating power plants.
On Saturday, authorities confirmed that one person, yet to be identified, has died. Additionally, 121 people have been left injured by the blaze, with Cuba's Health Ministry confirming that five individuals are in a critical condition. Seventeen firefighters have also been reported as missing.
Authorities also reported that 800 people from the nearby town of Dubrocq were evacuated.
The Cuban government has asked international oil sector experts from "friendly countries" to provide help at this time.
According to Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, officials from the US have offered technical help in order to tackle the fire. Cossío tweeted that the US' "is in the hands of specialists for the due coordination".
Per Fox News, Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel has thanked Mexico, Venezuela, Russia, Chile, Argentina, and Nicaragua for their offers of assistance.
Diaz-Canel traveled to Matanzas on Saturday, Sky News adds.
On Saturday evening, a support flight from Mexico arrived to help.
Images and videos of the blaze have since been circulating on social media, showing the devastating impact of the blaze.
ABC News reports that this horrific incident comes as Cuba is currently facing a fuel shortage.
As of this writing, it is not known how much oil has burned.
The city of Matanzas is home to around 140,000 people.
Our thoughts are with everybody affected by this tragedy.
